An engagement Ring is a symbol of your commitment to the one you chose to spend your life with. If your significant other happens to prefer a huge, sparkling ring and you’re buying on a budget, you have to make sure to get the best out of the Diamond. However, the price tag of a diamond engagement ring usually far surpasses your budget. So how can you get a bigger looking ring with limited funds?

Custom engagement rings like the ones offered by companies such as Emerson & Farrar Fine Jewelry are a great way to get a ring that fits your needs and your budget. In this article, we’ll give you a few hints on how you can get a diamond engagement ring that appears larger than it is.

The Cut of the Diamond

If you’re researching diamond engagement rings you’ve likely already come across the 4 C’s of diamonds. However, when looking at the size of the diamond most buyers only take carats into consideration. And while it does signify the weight and therefore the size of the diamond, it’s not the only determining factor.

One other important factor is the cut. In fact, it is almost as important as the carat. The cut determines the shape of the diamond and how effectively it retains and reflects light. The cut can make the diamond appear larger than other diamonds of the same carat weight.

Unorthodox cuts like emerald, pear or princess cut are great as they are more eye-catching than traditional round cuts. These cuts also cost around a quarter less than round cut diamonds and do not waste as much material. This way you can get a bigger diamond even with a limited budget.

Additionally, elongated cuts Oval and cushion cuts, in particular, make the diamond appear larger than a round cut diamond due to their elongated shape.

The Clarity of the Diamond

Another important C in the four C’s of Diamonds is the clarity, especially if you’re buying on a budget. Let’s explain that. Some diamonds possess certain imperfections, known as blemishes or inclusions. Blemishes occur due to human error as a result of a poor cutting or polishing technique.

Inclusions, on the other hand, are stray crystals, minerals or cracks of varying sizes located inside the diamonds and were there since its formation. Jewelers use special lenses to determine the clarity grade of a diamond. The ones with minimal inclusions have the highest grade. If the inclusions can be spotted with the naked eye, the diamond gets a lower clarity grade.

But why is this important for the price?

It’s simple! Sometimes these inclusions cannot be seen with a naked eye but will significantly reduce the price of a diamond. Therefore, a high-carat diamond with a lower clarity grade will cost significantly less than its higher-grade counterpart. And since the inclusions are concealed, they do not impact the appearance of the diamond.

Get a Halo around It

A great way to make a diamond appear larger on a budget is to a bunch of tiny ones around it. A halo setting with multiple tiny diamonds can give the ring extra shine and make the diamond appear larger than it is. Additionally, smaller diamonds are far less expensive than their larger counterparts. The price of the diamond increases with the carat number and not the number of the diamonds on a ring. Therefore, two half carat diamonds cost much less than a single carat diamond due to the fact that they are more common.

Slim the Ring Down

When you pair a moderately sized diamond with a thick band, the difference is not that apparent. However, when you pair a thick band to a smaller diamond, it will make it appear even smaller.  Therefore, if you’re buying a smaller diamond make sure to get a thinner band that will not overpower the diamond so that the gemstone can remain in the spotlight.